Medicare programs; utilization and quality control peer reviews organization (PRO) area designations and definitions of eligible organizations--HCFA. Proposed rule.

This proposal would implement a portion of the Peer Review Improvement Act of 1982 (Title I, Subtitle C of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, Pub. L. 97-248) requiring the Secretary to establish geographic areas throughout the United States for contracts under the PRO program. The establishment of these area designations will allow the Secretary to begin the process of contracting with PROs by setting the boundaries for each new organization. These regulations will also implement that portion of the law which defines organizations eligible to become PROs.